Fixation of intraluminal device

ABSTRACT

An intraluminal device and method of fixation of an intraluminal device to resist distal migration in a mammalian lumen or hollow organ that is subject to peristalsis, according to an aspect of the invention, includes spaced apart wall portions connected with a connector. The wall portions are configured to the size and shape of a portion of the lumen or hollow organ and the connector is configured to be positioned against a wall of the lumen or hollow organ. The intraluminal device is positioned in a mammalian lumen or hollow organ that is subject to peristalsis. The device is fixed in the lumen or hollow organ against distal migration, wherein tissue lining the lumen or hollow organ bridges over the connector. The device is explanted after tissue bridges over the connector including separating the connector from one or both of the wall portions and withdrawing the connector axially from the tissue bridging over the connector.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/534,891, filed Jun. 9, 2017, which claims the priority benefits of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/067407, filed Dec. 22, 2015, which claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/234,335, filed on Sep. 29, 2015, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/151,150, filed on Apr. 22, 2015, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/115,689, filed on Feb. 13, 2015, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/097,295, filed on Dec. 29, 2014, which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an intraluminal device and method of fixation of an intraluminal device and, in particular, a technique that enhances both fixation and removeability of the device. While the invention is illustrated for use with a bariatric device and/or a metabolic device, it may be applied to other intraluminal devices positioned in a mammalian lumen or hollow organ that is subject to peristalsis, such as an esophageal stent, an anti-reflux device, a nasal gastric tube, an intestinal sleeve, and the like, including devices positioned in the fallopian tubes, vas deferens, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An intraluminal device and method of providing satiety and/or treating a metabolic disease in a recipient is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,846,174; 8,100,931; 8,372,087; 8,529,431; 8,672,831; 8,801,599 and 8,894,670 and published PCT Application No. WO 2015/031077 A1, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Such devices and methods apply stress to the gastro-intestinal tract in general and in particular to the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient to produce satiety in the absence of food to produce satiety, and to augment fullness caused by food, and/or to treat a metabolic disease. A challenge with such devices and methods is fixation of a portion of the device against a surface of the GI tract, such as the cardiac portion of the stomach in the presence of peristalsis tending to cause distal migration of the device.

While the use of tissue ingrowth patented in the above-identified patents has been found to provide a satisfactory solution for fixation to resist distal migration, aspects of the present invention includes providing short-term fixation of the device until the tissue ingrowth providing long-term fixation is in place. Such short-term fixation is easy to carry out and capable of complete fixation over the days or weeks that it takes for the long-term fixation to occur.

Aspects of the present invention provide techniques for explantation of an intraluminal device having a wall defining first and second wall portions configured to be positioned in a lumen. The first wall portion may be an esophageal portion that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus. The second wall portion may be a cardiac portion that is configured to the size and shape of the cardiac portion of the stomach. A connector connecting the esophageal and cardiac portions is positioned against lumen tissue, such as in the gastroesophageal (GE) junctions wherein lumen tissue bridges or encases the connector during deployment of the device. Explantation of the device should not substantially damage the GE junction of the recipient. Aspects of the present invention facilitate such explantation and provide techniques that may beneficially utilize such tissue bridging the connector for long-term fixation of an intraluminal device.

An intraluminal device adapted to be positioned in a lumen, according to an aspect of the invention, includes a wall having a first wall portion configured to the size and shape of a first portion of the lumen and a second wall portion configured to the size and shape of a second portion of the lumen. A connector connects the first wall portion with the second wall portion. The connector is configured to be positioned against the lumen and wherein the connector is separably connected with one or both of the first and second wall portions. This allows the device to be explanted by disconnecting the connector and axially withdrawing the connector from tissue that encases the connector without substantial damage to the tissue.

The wall portions may be joined with the connector prior to deployment in the lumen. The connector may include at least one filament that is coated with a bio-compatible material that extends around the at least one filament from one of the wall portions to the other of the wall portions. A removable attachment may connect the connector with at least one of the wall portions and wherein the connector is separable by removing the removable attachment. The removable attachment may include a severable filament.

The device may include a fixation system that is configured to resist distal migration of the wall in the lumen. The fixation system may include the connector having a configuration to facilitate tissue of the lumen growing around the connector. The fixation system may include a tissue penetrating fastener configured to engage the connector with tissue of the lumen. The connector may include at least one elongated member including irregular portions thereof.

The fixation system may include a long-term fixation system including a characteristic of the wall that is configured to facilitate tissue adhesion to the wall and a temporary fixation system that at least initially resists distal migration of the wall, wherein the temporary fixation system includes a tissue penetrating fastener. The temporary fixation system may include a looped filament extending from that at least one of the wall portions and is configured to be captured with the fastener. The looped filament may be at least partially elastic and may be at least partially bioabsorbable.

The intraluminal device may be an esophageal stent, an anti-reflux device, a nasal gastric tube, an intestinal sleeve, a bariatric device or a metabolic disease treatment device.

An intraluminal device adapted to be positioned at the gastro-esophageal (GE) region of a recipient, according to an aspect of the invention, includes a wall defining an esophageal portion that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus, a cardiac portion that is configured to the size and shape of the cardiac portion of the stomach and a connector connecting the esophageal and cardiac portions. The connector is configured to be positioned at the GE junction. The connector is separably connected with the esophageal portion and/or the cardiac portion.

The connector may be separably connected with the cardiac portion. The connector may be separably connected with the cardiac portion with a removable attachment. A distal portion of the connector may extend along the cardiac portion and the removable attachment being a chain stitch between the distal portion of the connector and the cardiac portion of the wall. The cardiac portion may include a structural mesh defining intersections and covered with a biocompatible coating and the distal portion of the connector having openings that align with some intersections of the mesh. The chain stitch includes a filament extending between the openings and at least some of the intersections.

The cardiac portion may include a structural mesh defining intersections and covered with a biocompatible coating. The distal portion of the connector may extend proximally over some of the intersections and distally under other ones of the intersections at the cardiac portion. The removable attachment is between the distal portion of the connector and the cardiac portion. The removeable attachment keeps the distal portion of the connector from sliding with respect to the intersections. The removable attachment may be a filament between the distal portion of the connector and the cardiac portion of the wall. A bead may be provided on the filament to provide access to sever the filament.

An intraluminal device that is adapted to be deployed at the gastroesophageal (GE) region of a recipient, according to an aspect of the invention, includes a wall defining a cardiac portion that is configured to the size and shape of the cardiac portion of the stomach, an esophageal portion that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus and a connector connecting the esophageal portion and the cardiac portion. A fixation system is configured to resist distal migration of the wall. The fixation system includes short-term fixation and long-term fixation. The short-term fixation is configured to at least temporarily resist distal migration of the wall. The long-term fixation includes a wall characteristic of the connector that is configured to facilitate tissue ingrowth.

The wall characteristic may be the connector being an elongated filament. The wall characteristic may be a tissue ingrowth promotion surface configuration. The ingrowth promotion surface configuration may face away from the GE junction. The short-term fixation may include a fastener that is adapted to fix the device at the GE junction. The short-term fixation fastener may be a tissue penetrating fastener that is adapted to fasten the connector with tissue at the GE junction. The tissue penetrating fastener may be configured to engage the GE junction as a function of deployment of the device at the GE region of the recipient. The tissue penetrating fastener may be adapted to be applied to tissue at the connector after deployment of the device at the GE region of the recipient. The tissue penetrating fastener may be made at least in part from a bio-absorbable material. The tissue penetrating fastener may face outwardly toward the GE junction and the connector may include a wall characteristic that faces inwardly away from the GE junction that is configured to facilitate tissue ingrowth.

The short-term fixation may include one or more sutures. The short-term fixation may include a looped filament extending proximally from the esophageal portion and a tissue penetrating fastener configured to capture the looped filament. The looped filament may be at least partially elastic and/or at least partially bioabsorbable. The looped filament may include an enlarged portion wherein the fastener penetrates tissue and the enlarged portion. A retainer filament may be provided that is temporarily connected with the looped filament, the retainer filament extending from the esophagus for use with positioning the wall at the GE junction of the recipient and with deployment of short-term fixation. The retainer filament is removed after deployment of the device.

The connector may be separably connected with the esophageal portion and/or the cardiac portion. The intraluminal device may be a bariatric device used to treat excess body mass or a metabolic device used to treat metabolic disease.

An intraluminal device adapted to be deployed at the gastroesophageal (GE) region of a recipient, according to an aspect of the invention, includes a wall defining a cardiac portion that is configured to the size and shape of the cardiac portion of the stomach. A fastener temporarily fixes the wall to the recipient to resist distal migration. A wall characteristic fixes the wall to the GE region through growth of tissue causing long-term fixing of the wall to the GE region to resist distal migrations. The wall characteristic facilitates tissue ingrowth. The temporarily fixing fixes the device at the GE region while the tissue grows at the characteristics to provide the long-term fixation.

The fastener may be a tissue penetrating fastener. The tissue penetrating fastener may include barbs joined with the wall and facing the GE region. The barbs may be formed on the wall and engage the tissue of the GE region upon deployment of the device. The barbs may be formed on a separate fastener attached with the wall. The fastener may be at least partially made with a bio-absorbable material wherein the temporary fixing diminishing resistance of distal migration after long-term fixing of the wall to the GE region has at least partially occurred.

The wall characteristic may facilitate tissue ingrowth openings in the wall. The device may include an esophageal portion that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus and a connector connecting the esophageal portion and the cardiac portion wherein the tissue ingrowth openings are at the esophageal portion. The wall characteristic may include the connector being an elongated member that is configured to be positioned at the GE junction wherein tissue at least partially envelopes the connector to provide long-term fixation.

The intraluminal device may be a bariatric device that is used to reduce excess body mass or a metabolic device that is used to treat metabolic disease.

A method of fixation of an intraluminal device to resist distal migration in a mammalian lumen or hollow organ that is subject to peristalsis, according to an aspect of the invention, includes spaced apart wall portions connected with a connector. The wall portions are configured to the size and shape of a portion of the lumen or hollow organ and the connector is configured to be positioned against a wall of the lumen or hollow organ. The intraluminal device is positioned in a mammalian lumen or hollow organ that is subject to peristalsis. The device is fixed in the lumen or hollow organ against distal migration, wherein tissue lining the lumen or hollow organ bridges over the connector. The device is explanted after tissue bridges over the connector including separating the connector from one or both of the wall portions and withdrawing the connector axially from the tissue bridging over the connector.

A method of fixation of an intraluminal device at the gastroesophageal (GE) region of the recipient to resist distal migration, according to an aspect of the invention, includes the device having a wall defining an esophageal portion that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus, a cardiac portion that is configured to the size and shape of the cardiac portion of the stomach and a connector connecting the esophageal and cardiac portions. The device is positioned at the GE region with the esophageal portion in the esophagus, the cardiac portion at the cardiac portion of the stomach and at least a portion of the connector at the gastroesophageal (GE) junction, wherein tissue at the GE junction at least partially encompasses the connector. The device is explanted after tissue has encompassed the connector including separating the connector from the esophageal portion and/or the cardiac portion and withdrawing the connector axially from the tissue encompassing the portion of the connector at the gastroesophageal junction.

A method of fixation of an intraluminal device at the gastroesophageal (GE) region of the recipient to resist distal migration, according to an aspect of the invention, includes the device having a wall defining a cardiac portion that is configured to the size and shape of the cardiac portion of the stomach, an esophageal portion that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus and a connector connecting the esophageal portion and the cardiac portion. The intraluminal device is positioned at the GE region wherein tissue will grow to a wall characteristic of the connector at the GE junction to provide long-term fixation to resist distal migration. The device is temporarily fixed at the GE region while tissue grows to the wall characteristic of the connector.

A method of fixation of an intraluminal device at the gastroesophageal (GE) region of a recipient to resist distal migration, according to an aspect of the invention, the device having a wall defining a cardiac portion that is configured to the size and shape of the cardiac portion of the stomach includes positioning the device at the GE region with the cardiac portion engaging the cardiac portion of the stomach wherein tissue will grow to a wall characteristic of the wall to provide long-term fixation to resist distal migration of the wall and temporarily fixing the device at the GE region to resist distal migration while tissue grows at the wall characteristic. The temporally fixing including connecting the wall with the lumen using a tissue-penetrating fastener.

A method of fixation of an intraluminal device at the gastroesophageal (GE) region of a recipient to resist distal migration, according to an aspect of the invention, the device having a wall defining a cardiac portion that is configured to the size and shape of the cardiac portion of the stomach, an esophageal portion that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus and a connector connecting the esophageal portion and the cardiac portion includes positioning the device at the GE region wherein tissue will grow to the wall to provide long-term fixation of the wall to the GE region of the recipient to resist distal migration and temporarily fixing the device at the GE region to resist distal migration while tissue grows to the wall. The temporarily fixing and the long-term fixation both at least partially occur at the connector.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section of an intraluminal device deployed in a mammalian lumen or hollow organ of a recipient, namely, a bariatric device at the gastroesophageal (GE) region of the recipient;

FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1 after the device has been deployed at the GE region for a period of time, such as several weeks or months;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the device in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3 of an alternative embodiment thereof;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the esophageal portion and connector portions of FIG. 3 with the esophageal portion unrolled into a flat state;

FIG. 6 is the same view as FIG. 1 showing an alternative short-term fixation of the device;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a bariatric device showing the principle of removable attachment between the connector portion and the cardiac portion;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device in FIG. 7 taken from the side and proximal, or top direction illustrating details of the removable attachment;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion shown at IX in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is the same view as FIG. 7 of an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view taken from the side and proximal or top showing a removable attachment between the connector portion and the cardiac portion of the embodiment in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a bottom or distal plan view of the removable attachment in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the severable knot in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a connector portion;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment showing enhancement of mucosal bridging;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the lines XVI-XVI in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a clip;

FIG. 18 is the same view as FIG. 17 of an alternative embodiment thereof;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a bariatric device;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a retainer that is capable of short-term fixation and facilitating long-term fixation;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the lines XXI-XXI in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the lines XXII-XXII in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is the same view of the same device of FIG. 19 of an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 24 is the same view as FIG. 16 of an alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 25 is a chart illustrating relative anchoring strength of different anchoring techniques over time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiment depicted therein, an intraluminal device, such as a bariatric device 10, has a wall 12 defining an esophageal portion 14 that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of a mammalian lumen or hollow organ, namely, the esophagus, a cardiac portion 16 that is configured to the size and shape of a separated portion of mammalian lumen or hollow organ, namely, the cardiac portion of the stomach and a connector 18 connecting esophageal portion 14 and cardiac portion 16 (FIGS. 1-5). While illustrated as a bariatric device, it should be understood that that principles of the invention are applicable to other intraluminal devices that are positioned in a lumen or hollow organ that experiences peristalsis, such as an esophageal stent, an anti-reflux device, a nasal gastric tube, an intestinal sleeve, and the like. Also, the invention may be applied to a metabolic disease treatment device and method as disclosed in commonly assigned International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/031077 A1, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, bariatric device 10 is positioned at the gastroesophageal region with the esophageal portion 14 in the esophagus, the cardiac portion 16 at the cardiac portion of the stomach and at least a portion of connector 18 extending through the gastroesophageal (GE) junction. In the illustrated embodiment, connector 18 is made up of two elongated filaments 20 a, 20 b which are in tension and may be referred to as struts. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 1 and 2, with bariatric device 10 fixed at the gastroesophageal region to cause body mass loss, mucosa (which may include submucosa and even musculara) tissue bridges over at least one of the two struts 20 a, 20 b as shown in FIG. 2 after device 10 has been positioned in the GE region. The bridging tissue can fuse with time sufficiently to achieve significant loss of excess body mass making it difficult to explant bariatric device 10. Also, as will be discussed in more detail below, tissue bridging of struts 20 a, 20 b may provide long-term fixation of bariatric device 10, alone or in combination with other functions in accordance with the principles set forth in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,894,670 B2. In particular, the struts correspond to the bridge in the '670 patent and the spaces between the struts correspond to the openings adjacent the bridge in the '670 patent so that the tissue bridging over the struts implements mucosal capture patented in the '670 patent.

Fixation of bariatric device 10 against distal migration includes a fixation technique 22 that fastens esophageal portion 14 with the esophagus with a fastener such as a tissue penetrating fastener 24. A looped filament 26 extending proximally from esophageal portion 14 is captured with fastener 24 engaging the wall of the esophagus by the fastener. The loops in the looped filament are positively engaged by the fastener so that the esophageal portion 14 is firmly fixed to the esophagus by the fastener. The number of loops can vary from one to many and can be any size or shape as long as they are a closed polygon. In the illustrated embodiment, fastener 24 is an endoscopically deployed clip marketed by Ovesco and described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,721,528 for an ENDOSCOPE CAP, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Also, although two loops and penetrating fasteners are illustrated, one or more than two may be used.

Fixation technique 22 is intended to provide at least temporary fixation to maintain device 10 in position at the GE region of the recipient with cardiac portion 16 engaging the cardiac region of the stomach while permanent fixation develops. Looped filament 26 may be at least partially elastic in order to be slightly stretched when fastener 24 is deployed to maintain upward pressure on cardiac portion 16 after deployment. Looped filament 26 may be at least partially bioabsorbable, or resorbable, so that it, along with fastener 24, may fall away after permanent fixation occurs as seen in FIG. 2. Looped filament 26 may be made from monofilament or braided filament. An enlarged portion 28 of filament 26 may be provided and fastener 24 applied at or adjacent tissue of the esophageal wall that is drawn over the enlarged portion 28 by suction. Alternatively, the fastener 24 may be applied distal the enlarged portion 28. The enlarged portion and the loops defining looped filament 26 provide engagement between the mechanical fastener and the looped filament to prevent the looped filament from pulling away from the fastener. In the illustrated embodiment, enlarged portion 28 is a bead. As illustrated in FIG. 4, it may be desirable to position enlarged portion 28 as close as possible to esophageal member 14 to avoid entanglement between a retainer filament 30 discussed below and another retainer filament (not shown) that extends proximally from esophageal member 14.

A retainer filament 30 may be temporarily connected with the looped filament 26 and extending external the recipient of the device from the esophagus. Retainer filament 30 allows the physician or other healthcare worker the ability to position bariatric device 10 properly at the GE region and to apply tension to looped filament 26 until fastener 24 is applied. As retainer filament 30 is merely looped proximally to looped filament 26, it can be easily retraced by pulling on one side of the loop. Looped filament 26 is connected directly with the mesh 32 that provides a structure to bariatric device 10. This allows the looped filament to apply proximal axial force to mesh which force is then distributed over wall 12 without causing a narrowing of esophageal portion 14 as may occur if the looped filament were to be connected with a removal suture (not shown) that encircles esophageal portion 14 proximally and is used to remove device 10. If a proximal force were to be applied to such removal suture, the diameter of esophageal portion 14 may be reduced upon fixation thus counteracting mucosal capture and/or tissue ingrowth of the wall of the esophageal portion to the esophageal wall. While the application of proximal axial force to such removal suture, or ring, may be a useful action to explant bariatric device 10, it would not be useful in providing fixation.

Thus, the direct connection of looped filament 26 to mesh 32 allows proximal axial force to be applied to esophageal portion 14 without inducing a radially inward force tending to pull wall 12 away from the esophagus wall. While looped filament 26 is shown in FIGS. 1 and FIG. 3 connected with a proximal end portion of mesh 32, it could also be connected at a central or distal portion of the mesh as shown in FIG. 4. While filament 26 could extend from the interior of esophageal portion 14, it could also extend from an outer surface of the esophageal member wall, as shown in FIG. 4, thereby ensuring that any tension force on filament 26 tends to pull the esophageal member wall toward the esophagus wall.

In an alternative technique illustrated in FIG. 6 temporary fixation is provided by a tissue penetrating fastener in the form of sutures 24′. Each suture 24′ is passed through the wall of esophageal portion 14 and partially through the wall of the esophagus of the recipient. The suture may be applied endoscopically, such as by using an automated suture device that is commercially available such as one marketed by Apollo Endosurgery. The suture is preferably made from an absorbable material so that it dissolves over time as more permanent fixation from tissue capture takes over. In the embodiment used in FIG. 6, looped filament 26 is used to transmit the retaining force from retainer filament 30 to the esophageal member 14 but does not form a part of temporary fixation. It would be possible to attach retainer filament 30 directly to esophageal portion 14.

Fixation of bariatric device 10 against distal migration includes temporary fixing, such as using fixation 22, and long-term fixing from wall characteristics that fixes the wall to the GE region through growth of tissue, such as using tissue ingrowth zones 34 formed in wall 12, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,846,174 discussed above.

Tissue ingrowth zones 34 are openings in the cover 33 of biocompatible material, such as silicone, over mesh 32, which openings allow tissue to bridge over members of the mesh as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,894,670 discussed above. As shown in FIG. 5 and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2014/0121585 entitled INTRALUMINAL DEVICE AND METHOD WITH ENHANCED ANTI-MIGRATION, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, zones 34 are more effective if spaced apart a distance “C” in the direction of peristalsis on an order of magnitude of at least the wavelength of the peristaltic wave. Larger openings 36 may also be provided in the wall of esophageal portion 14 to allow tissue to bulge into wall 12 in response to an outward force placed by esophageal portion 14 on the wall of the esophagus and thereby help stabilize the esophageal portion in the esophagus. Long-term fixation using optimal mucosal capture and/or tissue ingrowth openings 34 may be removed to explant device 10, such as by cauterizing the tissue in the mucosal capture zones 34 and by placing an inward radial force on esophageal portion 14 such as by applying a proximal force on the removal suture (not shown) in order to remove device 10. Also, an overtube, of the type known in the art, may be inserted between esophageal portion 14 and the wall of the esophagus to further separate wall 12 from the tissue of the esophagus. Other techniques for removing mucosa from openings 34, such as mechanical severing of the tissue, will be apparent to the skilled artisan.

Tissue at or adjacent the GE junction, which includes tissue immediately above and below the sphincter, may bridge over one or both struts 20 a, 20 b of connector portion 18 at the GE junction as seen in FIG. 2 after bariatric device 10 has been deployed for several weeks or months. Such tissue bridging over struts 20 a, 20 b may be difficult to remove, such as by merely placing a radial inward force on the struts. In order to remove struts 20 a, 20 b to explant device 10, struts 20 a, 20 b of connector portion 16 of wall 12 are axially displaced, or pulled, from the gastroesophageal junction to remove the connector from the bridging tissue to remove the bariatric device. It will be appreciated that struts 20 a, 20 b could not be readily axially displaced with esophageal portion 14 close to the GE junction and cardiac portion 16 against the stomach wall because esophageal portion 14 and cardiac portion 16 are much larger than either strut 20 a, 20 b and, therefore, could not be pulled through the opening in the bridging tissue. Such axial displacement of the struts is achieved in the illustrated embodiments by making the struts separable and by separating the struts as seen in FIG. 7. While this could at least theoretically be achieved by physically severing the struts, such as using an argon beam coagulator, or the like, in the illustrated embodiments, struts 20 a, 20 b are adapted to be separated by being removeably attached with a removable attachment 42 to cardiac portion 16. The struts can be separated by removing the removable attachment. Once free of the cardiac portion 16, struts 20 a, 20 b may be axial withdrawn, or pulled, proximally through the bridging tissue of the GE junction by axial displacement of esophageal portion 14 in the manner discussed above. Once the struts are withdrawn, the esophageal portion 14 can be retracted proximal, using the removal suture (not shown). The cardiac portion 16 can be removed from the stomach by drawing it into an overtube inserted in the esophagus or other such method.

Struts 20 a, 20 b may be each formed from a single continuous metallic filament 38, such as Nitinol or stainless steel that is twisted from distally to proximally as shown in FIG. 4. As filament 38 is wound, several openings 40 are formed in struts 20 a, 20 b as will be described below. Ends of filament 38 may be woven with the mesh 32 of esophageal portion 14 or otherwise attached as seen in FIG. 5. Struts 20 a, 20 b are coated with silicone or other biocompatible material to ease axial withdrawal from the tissue bridging the struts. Also, struts 20 a, 20 b may have an optional elastic portion (not shown) to enhance proximal force placed on cardiac portion 16 to ensure satiety.

In one embodiment, removable attachment 42 includes a distal portion of struts 20 a, 20 b extending along the distal surface of cardiac portion 16 as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. Openings 40 are arranged to register with intersections 44 in the portion of mesh 32 at cardiac portion 16. Removable attachment 42 is a chain stitch 46 between one or more openings 40 and corresponding intersections 44 made with a filament, such as high-strength suture material, or the like. The advantage of a chain stitch, which is known in the art, is that it can be completely removed by severing its filament, such as with an endoscopic scissors or heating device, at any place such as at the distal surface 48 of cardiac portion 16. Once removable attachment 42 is severed at distal portions of both struts 20 a, 20 b, esophageal portion 14 can be proximally withdrawn thus axially liberating the struts from the captured tissue at the GE junction. As discussed above, cardiac portion 16 will be in the stomach and can be removed transorally. In addition to a separate chain stich 46 for each strut as shown, it is possible to extend the chain stitch to encompass both struts (not shown) so that the chain stitch filament need be severed only once to break both struts free of the cardiac portion. Also, it is possible that tissue bridging may only occur at one of the struts 20 a, 20 b, such as strut 20 b positioned against the GE sphincter at the angle of HIS. As such, removable attachment 42 may be provided for only one strut.

In an alternative embodiment, a bariatric device 110 includes a wall defining an esophageal portion 114 configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus, a cardiac portion 116 configured to the size and shape of a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach and a connector 118 (FIGS. 10-13) of which at least a portion passes through the GE junction. Bariatric device 110 is essentially the same as bariatric device 110 except that connector portion 118 is removeably connected with cardiac portion 116 by an alternative removable attachment 142. Distal portions of struts 120 a, 120 b making up connector portion 118 extend over some of intersections 144 of the mesh 132 of cardiac portion 116 and under other ones of the intersections 144 at cardiac portion 116 as seen in FIGS. 10-13. A severable knotted filament 150 at a distal end of each strut secures an end of the strut to the cardiac portion. In this manner, severing of filament 150 allows each strut to pull away from the cardiac portion. The severable filament 150 may include an extender, such as a bead 152, to enhance access to the filament to assist in severing the filament. Bead 152 is strung on filament 150. Filament 150 may extend between both distal ends of the struts so that the filament needs to be severed at one place to free both struts from the cardiac portion.

It should be understood that the tissue bridging over struts 20 a, 20 b, which are elongated filaments that provide a wall characteristic that fixes the wall of struts 20 a, 20 b to the GE region through growth of tissue, can be useful as all or part of long-term fixation of device 10. Such long-term fixation may be enhanced by adding length to struts 220 a, 220 b shown in FIG. 14. This may be accomplished by providing a knee to the strut, such as branching to the filaments as seen in FIG. 14. This may be accomplished by leaving the filaments non-twisted so that each filament forms a separate bridge that bows outwardly. Once the attachment to the cardiac portion (not shown in FIG. 14) is severed, the multiple filament branches to the strut can be individually pulled through the same opening in the mucosa caused by the bridging. Struts 20 a, 20 b, 220 a, 220 b can have an outward knee to further engage the mucosa to promote tissue bridging.

Also, short-term and/or long-term fixation using the struts can be enhanced by applying tissue penetrative fasteners in the form of retainers 54 to the bridging mucosa (FIGS. 15-17). Retainers 54 include a U-shaped body having a pointed end with barbs 55. This allows the retainer to be inserted through the mucosa onto the musculara and the barbs to hold the retainer in place. Retainers 54 can be bioabsorbable so that they fall away after the passage of time when mucosal bridging is secure. Alternatively, retainers 154 include coupled U-shaped portions, each with barbs 155 in order to enhance attachment to the musculara as seen in FIG. 18.

Other forms of tissue penetrating fasteners can be used, such as EZ clip or a quick-clip, both available from Olympus. In addition to promotion of tissue bridging over the strut(s) 20 a and/or 20 b, the retainers 54, 154 may provide resistance to distal migration of esophageal member 14. This helps to provide tension on struts 20 a, 20 b, thus ensuring cardiac member 16 is in contact with the cardiac portion of the stomach. Thus, clip 54, 154 may provide both immediate short-term fixation of the bariatric device and promote long-term fixation via fusion of tissue bridging struts 20 a, 20 b.

A device 210 is shown in FIGS. 19-23 in which another technique is shown for fixation of the intraluminal device. Device 210 includes a wall 212 defining an esophageal portion 214 having a size and shape corresponding to a portion of the esophagus at the GE region, a cardiac portion 216 having a size and shape corresponding to a portion of the cardia or a cardiac portion of the stomach, and a connector 218 connecting the esophageal portion to the cardiac portion. At least a portion of connector 218 passes through the GE junction. Connector 218 is made up of two elongated struts 220 a, 220 b, both of which pass through the GE junction. The struts elongated shape provides a wall characteristic that fixes wall 212 to the GE region though growth of tissue around each strut. Strut 220 a includes a biocompatible coating, such as silicone, or the like, that allows the strut to be axially separated from the GE junction once severing of the removable connector (not shown in FIG. 19) separates the strut from the cardiac portion 216.

An alternative issue penetrating fastener 256 around each strut 220 a, 220 b includes a series of tissue penetrating barbs 257 that are capable of penetrating mucosa, submucosa, and/or musculara at the GE junction when pressed against the tissue. Penetrating barb 257 may have fishhook, or arrowhead, features to avoid withdrawal of the barbs once inserted. Fastener 256 may be formed around the strut as part of manufacture or may be a separate device as shown in FIG. 20 having a slit that allows it to be positioned around the strut at deployment.

In addition to the dimensions of each strut providing a wall characteristic that causes tissue to grow around the strut, each fastener 256 may have a wall characteristic 259 facing away from the tissue of the GE junction that enhances long-term fixation of wall 212 to the GE region through promoting growth of tissue around the respective strut. Wall characteristic 259 may be a roughened or fenestrated surface, a surface impregnated with a tissue growth agent, or the like. Fastener 256 may be made in whole or in part from a bioabsorbable material to resorb after tissue grows around the strut to provide long-term fixation of device 210. The resorption of the fastener 256 avoids fastener 256 from impeding axial withdrawal of the struts for device explantation.

Another tissue penetrating fastener 258 having tissue penetrating barbs 257 may be at a portion of esophageal member 214, such as at its distal rim, in order to provide additional temporary fixing of device 210 at the GE region. Fastener 256 is shown clipped or formed to a distal rim of esophageal portion 214 but could be located at any portion of esophageal portion 214. Fastener 258 only provides temporary fixing of device 210 and therefore does not include a wall characteristic 259 that enhances long-term fixing of wall 212 to the GE region. Fastener 258 is made in whole or in part from bioabsorbable material in order to resorb after long-term fixation is in place to avoid interference with explantation of device 240.

As seen in FIG. 23, device 210 may include a fastener 256 at one or both struts 220 a, 220 b making up connector 218, but not include a fastener 258. Of course device 210 may include a tissue penetrating fastener 258 without a combination temporary and permanent fixing device 256 since the elongated slender nature of struts 220 a, 220 b are a wall characteristic that fixes wall 212 to the GE region through growth of tissue to provide long-term fixation.

An alternative retainer 354 shown in FIG. 24 is a clip that closes around the strut 20 a, 20 b after the device 10 is positioned at the GE region. Clip 354 may be spring-loaded or made from memory material to close around the strut upon being positioned in the tissue or may be mechanically deformed by a mechanism that is endoscopically deployed.

Thus, it is seen that aspects of the present invention encompass short-term and long-term fixation of an intraluminal device, such as a bariatric device, in a lumen, such as the gastro-esophageal region of the recipient. The long-term fixation uses the body's response to the presence of the device to provide long-term fixation. Short-term fixation, such as one or more tissue penetrating fasteners, provide fixation of the device while long-term fixation develops. Once long-term fixation develops, the short-term fixation may slough off or be absorbed as it is no longer needed. Even multiple different types of long-term fixation may be provided in order to provide optimal fixation at different times after deployment. For an example, FIG. 25 illustrates relative fixation, shown on the Y-axis for different time intervals after deployment, shown on the Y-axis. When the device is deployed, at the origin of the graph, temporary fixation F maintains the intraluminal device in place. After deployment, the tissue ingrown TI begins to develop and increases over time. Sometime after deployment, temporary fixation F may be eliminated, such as by absorption of resorbable sutures or filament loops, as depicted by the dashed horizontal line. By that time, the tissue ingrowth TI should be sufficiently strong to provide long-term fixation. An additional form of long-term fixation may be provided by mucosal capture MC around the struts of the bariatric device. While the mucosal capture MC may take longer to develop than the tissue ingrowth TI, it may provide long-term fixation even if the tissue ingrowth fixation TI weakens over time.

It should be understood that FIG. 25 is intended to illustrate conceptual relationships and is not based upon physical measurements. It should also be understood that the timeline in FIG. 25 may be measured over days, weeks or months. However, it is expected that tissue ingrowth TI or mucosal capture MC should be sufficient to provide fixation by itself within about four (4) days to one or more weeks.

It may also be possible to eliminate tissue ingrown TI and rely exclusively on mucosal capture MC in order to provide long-term fixation. Such alternative may include using one of the illustrated retainers around one or both struts in order to provide short-term fixation while long-term fixation develops, such as by mucosal capture MC around each of the struts. By providing both short-term and long-term fixation at the struts, the intraluminal device should be simpler to deploy and explant. Deployment may occur by the insertion of a retainer clip at one or both struts or even by a self-deploying retainer that penetrates tissue at the GE junction upon positioning of the device in the lumen of the recipient. With long-term fixation provided at the struts alone, the device can be explanted by separating the separable struts and axially retracting the struts from the GE junction by proximally withdrawing the esophageal member from the esophagus. The cardiac member can then easily be retrieved from the stomach. Because tissue ingrowth is not employed in such embodiment, there is no need to remove tissue from the tissue ingrown zones.

While the foregoing description describes several embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to these embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the claims below. The present invention encompasses all combinations of various embodiments or aspects of the invention described herein. It is understood that any and all embodiments of the present invention may be taken in conjunction with any other embodiment to describe additional embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, any elements of an embodiment may be combined with any and all other elements of any of the embodiments to describe additional embodiments. 

1. A method of fixing an intraluminal device in the GI tract of a recipient, said method comprising: deploying in the esophagus an intraluminal device having a wall that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus, said wall comprising a mesh and a cover over said mesh, said intraluminal device further having a filament with an enlarged portion that is connected directly with the mesh and extends in the esophagus proximate of the wall; and engaging tissue of the esophagus with a mechanical fastener, said mechanical fastener capturing said filament with an enlarged portion against the esophagus between the mechanical fastener and the esophagus as said mechanical fastener engages the tissue of the esophagus in order to fix the intraluminal device against distal migration.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filament with the enlarged portion comprising at least one closed polygon that is captured by the mechanical fastener as said mechanical fastener engages the tissue of the esophagus.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mechanical fastener captures the filament with an enlarged portion at the enlarged portion to prevent said filament with an enlarged portion pulling away from the mechanical fastener.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mechanical fastener comprises an endoscopically deployed clip.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said intraluminal device comprises an esophageal stent.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of said filaments with an enlarged portion spaced radially around said wall and a plurality of said mechanical fasteners, including capturing said filaments with an enlarged portion against the esophagus between said mechanical fasteners and the esophagus as said mechanical fasteners engage the tissue of the esophagus.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filament with an enlarged portion is attached with said mesh prior to deploying of said intraluminal device.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said at least one closed polygon is spaced proximally from said wall to provide access to said at least one enlarged closed polygon to deploy said mechanical fastener.
 11. A method of fixing an intraluminal device in the GI tract of a recipient, said method comprising: deploying in the esophagus an intraluminal device having a wall that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the esophagus; applying long term fixation to resist distal migration of the intraluminal device; applying short-term fixation to resist distal migration of the intraluminal device while the long term fixation takes place; said applying short term fixation comprising a monofilament or braided filament connected directly with the wall and extends in the esophagus proximate of the wall and engaging tissue of the esophagus with a mechanical fastener, said mechanical fastener capturing said monofilament or braided filament against the esophagus between the mechanical fastener and the esophagus as said mechanical fastener engages the tissue of the esophagus in order to fix the intraluminal device against distal migration.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said monofilament or braided filament comprising at least one closed polygon that is captured by the mechanical fastener as said mechanical fastener engages the tissue of the esophagus.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said monofilament or braided filament comprises at least one enlarged portion that resists the monofilament or braided filament pulling away from the mechanical fastener.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mechanical fastener comprises an endoscopically deployed clip.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said intraluminal device comprises an esophageal stent.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said monofilament or braided filament is at least partially bioabsorbable.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said monofilament or braided filament is at least partially elastic.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 11 including a plurality of said monofilaments or braided filaments spaced radially around said wall and a plurality of said mechanical fasteners, including capturing said monofilaments or braided filaments against the esophagus between said mechanical fasteners and the esophagus as said mechanical fasteners engage the tissue of the esophagus.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said monofilament or braided filament is attached with said wall prior to deployment of said intraluminal device.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said at least one closed polygon is spaced proximally from said wall to provide access to said at least one enlarged closed polygon to deploy said mechanical fastener.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said monofilament or braided filament comprises a looped filament.
 22. A method of fixing an intraluminal device in the GI tract of a recipient, said method comprising: deploying in the GI tract an intraluminal device having a wall that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the GI tract, said wall comprising a mesh and a cover over said mesh, said intraluminal device further having a looped filament connected directly with the mesh that extends in the esophagus proximate of the wall; and engaging tissue of the GI tract with a mechanical fastener, said mechanical fastener capturing said looped filament against the GI tract between the mechanical fastener and the GI tract as said mechanical fastener engages the tissue of the GI tract in order to fix the intraluminal device against distal migration.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said intraluminal device comprises an esophageal stent or an intestinal sleeve.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said looped filament comprising at least one closed polygon that is captured by the mechanical fastener as said mechanical fastener engages the tissue of the esophagus.
 25. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said looped filament comprises at least one enlarged portion that resists the looped filament from pulling away from said mechanical fastener.
 26. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said mechanical fastener comprises an endoscopically deployed clip.
 27. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said looped filament is at least partially bioabsorbable.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said looped filament is at least partially elastic.
 29. The method as claimed in claim 22 including a plurality of said looped filaments spaced radially around said wall and a plurality of said mechanical fasteners, including capturing said looped filaments against the esophagus between said mechanical fasteners and the esophagus as said mechanical fasteners engage the tissue of the esophagus.
 30. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said looped filament is attached with said wall prior to deployment of said intraluminal device.
 31. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein said at least one closed polygon is spaced proximally from said wall to provide access to said at least one enlarged closed polygon to deploy said mechanical fastener.
 32. The method as claimed in claim 22 including applying long term fixation to resist distal migration of the intraluminal device and said engaging tissue of the GI tract with a mechanical fastener is to apply short-term fixation to resist distal migration of the intraluminal device while the long term fixation takes place. 